Hello all.... I've been reading the posts here a few months now.
It all started when we were staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Resort (not HGVC) in July of this year. While exploring the massive resort we got the $100 to see the presentation pitch and since we don't mind seeing different opportunities we took the offer. Plus the kids got to go to the camp for a few hours and have free lunch.
I have to say the presentation was done well. We took a tour of Kinds Land which was beautiful. The two bedroom was large and well appointed. We walked around the resort and checked out the pool which was very nice.
Back to the dog and pony show at the sales center. All the while I was holding onto my wallet with both hands as I knew the pitch was coming.
Here it comes.... writing upside down (do they teach that at slimy timeshare salesmen school?) numbers, numbers, time, points, blah blah blah.
Gave me the "we offer bonuses but don't negotiate price" pitch plus said several times how much my family deserved this.
The number... 4800 points (1 BR Plat) EOY + 22,000 bonus points for $17,500 + $850 in closing fees.
This was one of the many times I chuckled to myself and glanced over to my wife who was sending the "Are you going to fall for this" look with great clarity.
This was my first time even looking at HGVC and I have to say that I hung around as long as I did because the program looked really nice. I did see value in owning, just not at that price.
As I began to have enough I got the "Your wife deserves this" line which my wife used often at different opportune times during the rest of the vacation.
Then.. here it comes, the famous "Steve, there are three kinds of people in this world. People who watch it happen, People who Wish it happened and People who make it happen. Which are you?". Was he serious? Like that's going to make me write him a $17,500 check.
I have an MBA and manage difficult people every day, I'm certainly not going to be intimidated by a slimy timeshare guy.
Now, since he knew that didn't work the double team started. His manager came over and they both tried to work me over. He told his manager "They have to do this no matter what it costs". Really? I'm glad he was so concerned about my cost.
I was done now. Moving to the door as they were still talking.
Before leaving he said that he closes 1 in 4 people, are you the one today?
Said no thank you and moved on.
I'd never make a large purchase like this without doing some research first. They know that they only way they can get you is to get it signed there as you will never come back. Even offered me a "special" 15.9% financing with 90 days same as cash. Would be nice to be finance company for that rate.
Asked about buying resale. Was told that it doesn't happen often since HGVC would use their ROFR to keep prices up.
Also was not told that the unit he was selling me was across the street from the resort that I looked at.
My wife and I still liked the program and did some research. This site was a big help.
Finally got the paperwork back today, passed ROFR on a resale 7,000 points Annual, 2 BR @ Seaworld for $8,500 plus closing fees. Not bad I think. Certainly way less than retail.
It all started when we were staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Resort (not HGVC) in July of this year. While exploring the massive resort we got the $100 to see the presentation pitch and since we don't mind seeing different opportunities we took the offer. Plus the kids got to go to the camp for a few hours and have free lunch.
I have to say the presentation was done well. We took a tour of Kinds Land which was beautiful. The two bedroom was large and well appointed. We walked around the resort and checked out the pool which was very nice.
Back to the dog and pony show at the sales center. All the while I was holding onto my wallet with both hands as I knew the pitch was coming.
Here it comes.... writing upside down (do they teach that at slimy timeshare salesmen school?) numbers, numbers, time, points, blah blah blah.
Gave me the "we offer bonuses but don't negotiate price" pitch plus said several times how much my family deserved this.
The number... 4800 points (1 BR Plat) EOY + 22,000 bonus points for $17,500 + $850 in closing fees.
This was one of the many times I chuckled to myself and glanced over to my wife who was sending the "Are you going to fall for this" look with great clarity.
This was my first time even looking at HGVC and I have to say that I hung around as long as I did because the program looked really nice. I did see value in owning, just not at that price.
As I began to have enough I got the "Your wife deserves this" line which my wife used often at different opportune times during the rest of the vacation.
Then.. here it comes, the famous "Steve, there are three kinds of people in this world. People who watch it happen, People who Wish it happened and People who make it happen. Which are you?". Was he serious? Like that's going to make me write him a $17,500 check.
I have an MBA and manage difficult people every day, I'm certainly not going to be intimidated by a slimy timeshare guy.
Now, since he knew that didn't work the double team started. His manager came over and they both tried to work me over. He told his manager "They have to do this no matter what it costs". Really? I'm glad he was so concerned about my cost.
I was done now. Moving to the door as they were still talking.
Before leaving he said that he closes 1 in 4 people, are you the one today?
Said no thank you and moved on.
I'd never make a large purchase like this without doing some research first. They know that they only way they can get you is to get it signed there as you will never come back. Even offered me a "special" 15.9% financing with 90 days same as cash. Would be nice to be finance company for that rate.
Asked about buying resale. Was told that it doesn't happen often since HGVC would use their ROFR to keep prices up.
Also was not told that the unit he was selling me was across the street from the resort that I looked at.
My wife and I still liked the program and did some research. This site was a big help.
Finally got the paperwork back today, passed ROFR on a resale 7,000 points Annual, 2 BR @ Seaworld for $8,500 plus closing fees. Not bad I think. Certainly way less than retail.
) I hope you have some great trips to many of the HGVC properties...
